Allen Equine Veterinary Services

01/01/2024

Happy New Year! May your year be filled with good health and great horses!

22/12/2023

Happy Holidays from Allen Equine Veterinary Services! In observance of the Christmas holiday and the New Year, our office will be closed the following days:

Friday December 22nd after 12pm
Monday December 25th
Tuesday December 26th
Friday December 29th after 12pm
Monday January 1st

A veterinarian will be on call for emergency services for current clients. Have a safe and happy holiday!

08/12/2023

You may hear us offering a telehealth appointment more often – what’s the deal? Telehealth is a scheduled phone consultation with one of our veterinarians for a need that you’d like professional veterinary advice for but may not require an in-person appointment. As the demand for veterinary care increases, you may find yourself waiting longer for an appointment than you’d like to. Telehealth can help to bridge that gap by putting you in touch with our doctors in lieu of a physical appointment or to better prepare for one. This can also save you money and time! Types of problems we can evaluate via Telehealth:
1) Skin issues – hives, bumps, hair loss, etc.
2) Wounds – does it need stitches? How do I care for this wound?
3) Some Eye Issues – is it just eyelid swelling or is there concern for the eye itself?
5) Nutrition & Management Consults
6) Pre-purchase Exam Consults or X-Ray Evaluation Consults
7) You’re not sure if you need an in-person appointment and just want to talk with the veterinarian – Telehealth is perfect for that!
8) To determine how quickly something urgent needs to be seen (sometime this week or today?)

As of November 1st 2023, we are happy to continue to review pictures and videos or provide other consultation, but please be aware that a fee may be applied for our doctor’s professional expertise and time.

Please note, only patients we have seen within the past year are eligible for this service.

08/12/2023

Don’t forget about your donkeys when it gets cold! ❄️

Baby it’s cold outside! ❄️⛄️

Many people think of donkeys as hardy, low-maintenance “small horses.” However, while they have similarities, donkeys are a completely different species and as such have a different physical, mental, and emotional make-up.

As the weather gets colder, it’s important to remember that donkeys are more sensitive to changes in temperature than their equine friends. They don’t grow a winter coat like horses and their hair is less waterproof, so they require shelter from the elements (like a run-in shed or a waterproof blanket). Being stoic animals, they also won’t show signs of discomfort and hypothermia until they are very sick.

Remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed, and other health conditions, so be sure with your primary veterinarian to address any concerns or questions!
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

04/12/2023

Dr Allen had a great time learning at the American Association of Equine Practitioner’s Annual Convention in sunny San Diego last week! Our assistants and Dr Ashcraft also got to attend the conference virtually! We have lots of great information to share! Stay tuned for updates!

22/11/2023

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Our office is closed Wednesday 11/22 at 1pm until Monday 11/27 at 9AM. Have a restful and safe holiday!

20/11/2023

As we head in to winter, our hours will be changing to allow our staff some down time during our slower season.

From Monday November 20th until Friday March 1st, our office will be open 9am-4pm. There will continue to be a doctor on call for emergencies for our clients.

Going in to the holiday season, we are happy to be able to provide our staff with some extra time to spend with family and friends. Happy holidays everyone!

10/11/2023

Happy Friday! We started our day with our brand new ultrasound! We are so excited to bring it on the road with us so we can continue to provide top notch care for your equine partners!

03/11/2023

This is a great article!

16/10/2023

This is a great reminder from Equus about fall grasses and laminitis!

This is a great reminder from our friends at Equus. But do you know what the signs of foot soreness related to laminitis are?

Here are some things to look out for:

🍁A digital pulse, make sure you know how to check this.

🍁Standing with more weight on the heals to take weight of the sensitive toe are.

🍁Walking tentatively especially on hard ground.

🍁Spending more time lying down than normal.

🍁Hoof abscess. Horse's with low grade subclinical laminitis can develop pus pockets (abscesses) in their feet. If your horse gets an abscess when the grass is rich especially if they are older and it's the Fall consider that this might be the result of laminitis.

🍁Widening white line and/or white line disease. Have your farrier/trimmer keep an eye on the white line when your horse's feet are trimmed. When the laminae connection to the hoof wall is weak due to laminitis the white line will stretch.

Keep in mind that by the time the horse has obvious laminitis a lot of negative changes have occurred in the feet. Research has shown that subclinical laminitis is often missed so it is vital to watch for the subtle signs such as the stretching white line in order to stop it early.

If you have concerns about how to manage your horse's diet this fall Dr. Thunes has extensive experience working with insulin resistant, PPID and metabolic horses and is always happy to help.

05/10/2023

Don’t forget about this great deal on Adequan that runs through the end of the month!

29/09/2023

Please join us in wishing Dr. Kallie Ashcraft a very Happy Birthday today!

28/09/2023

22/09/2023

Did you know Dr. Allen and Dr. Ashcraft are certified in Equine Acupuncture? Both Doctors received their certification from the Chi Institute in Reddick, Fl. Acupuncture works in relieving pain, increasing blood flow and moving Qi. (The Chinese describe Qi as the energy inside our body that makes everything function). Acupuncture can be used with just needles, needles and the electro unit, or we can do injections at the points. The doctor will make the selection based on the patient and the pattern that the patient has. Some examples of issues that can be improved with acupuncture are:
🔹Back and neck pain
🔹Navicular
🔹Roaring
🔹Laminitis
🔹Heaves or Asthma
🔹Anxiety

If you have any questions about acupuncture and how it could help your horse please reach out to the clinic at 269-779-4352

12/09/2023

Assistants Hannah and Lindsay traveled to Saginaw today for a continuing eduction event put on by Boehringer Ingelheim at Saginaw Valley Equine Clinic! Todays lecture topics were PPID, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, gastric ulcers, and joint health with labs about catheter placement and joint injection prep!

08/09/2023

If your horse hasn’t had their Potomac vaccine this year, or hasn’t had a booster in the last 3 months, now is a great time to vaccinate! We have been seeing an increase in severe Potomac cases this year and the vaccine helps prevent cases from becoming as severe. All horses are at risk for contracting Potomac this time of year, so even if your herd doesn’t leave the farm, it is still important to stay current on this vaccine. Still have questions? Give our office a call at (269) 779-4352!

04/09/2023

Happy Labor Day! Our office is closed today but we do have a doctor on call for emergencies for our clients!

29/08/2023

18/08/2023

Did you know we have an online pharmacy? Our online pharmacy is a convenient way to get your horse’s medication delivered straight to your door! Contact our office to get a coupon code for your first order!

*must be a current client with a horse we have seen in the last year*

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11/08/2023

Wow, time really flies - Saturday marks our 4-year anniversary!! Thanks to all of you for your continued support!! ❤️
Our office will be closing early at 4pm today for a team celebration dinner! We do have a doctor available for our client emergencies if needed. Happy Friday!

10/08/2023

Please join us in wishing Sloan a very Happy Birthday today!! 🎉🥳

10/08/2023

Good luck to everyone showing at the Kalamazoo County Fair this week! Pictured is our assistant, Lindsay and her daughter with our sign by the horse arenas. Head on over there and support our 4-H youth this week!

02/08/2023

Check out this deal on Adequan that runs through October 31st! Call our office at (269) 779-4352 to schedule an appointment to take advantage of this limited time offer!

31/07/2023

On Friday we shared some pictures of Dr. Ashcraft preparing some Alpha 2 EQ for injections. Here is some more information about this great new product! Let us know if you have any questions!

28/07/2023

We are excited to offer a new treatment for joint inflammation called Alpha 2 EQ! This product is an “Orthobiologic”, which means it is a naturally-occurring substance in the body that can be used to treat musculoskeletal inflammation or injury, similar to ProStride or IRAP. We can inject it into a joint to boost its ability to reduce inflammation and cartilage degradation producing a healthier and less painful joint!

We have seen great results with this product so far and we are excited to offer it for your horses! Give us a call if you have questions or are interested in scheduling an appointment!

25/07/2023

It’s mosquito season! Have your horses received their annual vaccinations? West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have both recently been found in Kalamazoo County mosquitoes. These diseases cause serious neurologic disease and are often fatal. Fortunately, the vaccines for these diseases are VERY effective at protecting your horse. In fact, most cases of EEE and WNV occur in unvaccinated horses. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

14/07/2023

Has your horse ever had a chiropractic adjustment? Dr. Ashcraft and Dr. Allen are both certified equine chiropractors! There are many benefits to chiropractic work including:
▪️restores normal movement and function to the spinal columns
▪️promotes healthy neurologic activity
▪️supports musculoskeletal health
▪️reduces back pain
This patient started with a “c” shape to her back, and after her adjustment, her spine returned to a more normal shape and function. Call us today to discuss how your horse can benefit from chiropractic work!

10/07/2023

Dr. Allen traveled to the World Equestrian Center in Ohio this past weekend to compete in the 2023 National Dressage Pony Cup with her pony, Ringlet! They had a great show, winning their class Friday, placing 2nd on Saturday, and and winning Third Level Reserve Champion for the weekend. Congratulations on an awesome show! 🏆 🏅

30/06/2023

Happy Friday! Here are some great tips to keep our equine friends safe over the weekend. Let us know today if you have concerns for your horse! Our office will be closed Monday July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th for the holiday. A vet will be available for emergencies for our clients if needed. Have a safe and fun holiday!!

With the Fourth of July festivities just around the corner, now is a good time to make preparations to keep your horses, farm animals and pets safe during any fireworks that will be happening in your area.

The graphic below lists some tips to get you started. If your horses are staying out overnight, be sure to check your fencing ahead of time and neutralize any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are concerned your animals may get loose, make sure your contact information is on a tag on the halter (provided i’is a breakaway one) or braided in their mane.
Some horses require sedation to help them get through. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents.

This is also a good time to update and review your fire response program at your barn. Make sure you have the number for the fire department, everyone knows the address of the barn, plenty of fire extinguishers are available, and any fire hazards are removed from the barn.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so EVERYONE may have an enjoyable celebration.

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

28/06/2023

Michigan is seeing a lot of smoke from the Canadian wildfires! The air is not only unhealthy for us, but also for our horses. This chart is a good guideline to follow when trying to decide whether or not to work your horses. Stay safe out there!

26/06/2023

Let’s talk about gastric ulcers! A gastroscopy allows us to examine the horse’s stomach and determine whether or not ulcers are present. A horse’s stomach has two types of linings: glandular mucosa and non-glandular(squamous) mucosa. The top, non-glandular part of the stomach is lighter in appearance and is made up of tissue similar to the esophagus, which is not well protected from acid. The bottom, glandular part of the stomach is dark pink in appearance and typically well-protected from stomach acid. We often see ulcers in the upper (squamous) portion of the stomach as well as along the lining between the glandular and non-glandular portion of the stomach, called the margo plicatus. This is called Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD). Some horses have ulcers in the glandular portion of the stomach and near the pylorus, which is the entrance to the small intestine. This is called Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD); these can be more difficult to treat. During a gastroscopy we will find and take pictures of any ulceration in the stomach. We can then make recommendations as to what treatment is needed and for how long. The benefit to scoping instead of just treating is to know the location and severity of the ulcers, which will impact our treatment choices.

Any horse can suffer from ulcers, but you can reduce their chances of getting ulcers through good management such as:
🔹Provide as much turn-out as possible. Turn-out not only reduces stress, but allows horses to graze and “trickle feed” so their stomachs are not empty
🔹Feed small, frequent forage meals depending on how much pasture your horse has access to.
🔹Feed more forage than grain
🔹Reduce stress levels
🔹Limit the use of NSAIDS such as bute and banamine

23/06/2023

We had a great time at our scope day yesterday with Bridget and Dr. Pribyl from Boehringer Ingelheim! Thank-you to everyone who came out yesterday to make this day possible! If your horse is showing signs of ulcers, give our office a call at (269) 779-4352 to schedule a gastroscopy! Our scope equipment is mobile so we can come to your farm, or you can haul to us. We also offer a discounted rate for multiple horses being scoped at the same barn. Stay tuned for our next post to see what equine gastric ulcers look like!

22/06/2023

Our office is closed today, Thursday June 22nd, for an educational event for our team. We do have a veterinarian available for emergencies if needed. We will return all other calls/texts tomorrow. Thank you!!

20/06/2023

With the temperatures rising into the 90s this week, it is important to make sure our horses stay cool as well as ourselves. Riding in the early mornings or evenings after the temperatures start going down is a good way to beat the heat! Stay cool! ☀️ 🕶️

14/06/2023

Please join us in wishing Hannah Flickinger a very Happy Birthday today!

13/06/2023

Please join us in wishing Kimberly a very Happy Birthday today! 🎂🎉

09/06/2023

Did you know a gastroscopy is the only way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers in horses? Any horse can suffer from gastric ulcers, but some common signs are:

🔹change in attitude
🔹poor appetite
🔹poor hair coat
🔹poor performance

Allen Equine Veterinary Services is excited to welcome Bridjet and Dr Pribyl from Boehringer Ingelheim on June 22nd for a scope day to further advance our staff’s scoping skills!

Does your horse show signs of ulcers? We are offering gastroscopies at our clinic for current clients at a reduced rate on June 22. For more information/pricing and to reserve your spot please contact our office at (269) 779-4352.

29/05/2023

Happy Memorial Day!🇺🇸Our office is closed today, but we do have a Doctor available for emergencies for our clients if needed.

28/04/2023

This is a good one! F***ls are great for identifying moderate or high parasite shedders, but just because your f***l is negative does not mean your horse has zero parasites and doesn’t need to be dewormed. Let us know if you need help with deworming decisions!

Did you know? Zero F***l Egg Count (FEC) does NOT mean you don’t need to deworm your horse!

F***l Egg Counts can give a good indication of parasite egg shedding status, but a FEC cannot determine if a horse is free from parasites as there are several parasite eggs that do not consistently appear with routine FECs. Additionally, the most dangerous stage of a parasite lifecycle is the immature, larval stage which does not lay eggs, and therefore cannot be identified in a FEC.

Talk to your vet about the best course of action when it comes to developing a deworming treatment for your equine friend. All adult horses need to have 1-2 dewormer treatments per year and FEC can help identify horses that might need additional treatments.

Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.
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29/03/2023

Spring grass is almost here! If you are in need of a good grazing muzzle, we highly recommend the GreenGuard brand and they are having a 15% off sale until this Friday March 31st!
www.gg-equine.com

Greenguard Grazing Muzzle for horses and ponies. Prevent grass laminitis, founder, insulin resistance, Cushings, equine metabolic syndrome, manage weight.